This story is set in the middle of Season 4 of due South. I hope you enjoy it. Please leave a review, good or bad! Thank you kindly.
Maybe, Just Maybe
CHAPTER 1
"Let me get this straight in my head Fraser," Detective Ray Kowalski sighed as he walked along the street with Constable Benton Fraser, his best friend and unofficial partner. "We, er, that is you tasted that stuff on the guy's shoes and then, no, hang on...er, that was after we'd chased that other bozo half way across town, er..." The sun was bright this morning and Ray squinted in the light and scratched his head as he thought about the events that had led to the arrest of Juan Lorenzo, big time arms dealer and part time drug smuggler.
"Ray, you're due in court tomorrow. If you are having trouble recalling the events, you realise it could have serious repercussions on the outcome of the case for the prosecution," Fraser rubbed at his left eyebrow as he spoke.
"Buddy, when it's Stella doin' the prosecutin' I get all, well, er, y'know..." Ray replied with a shrug.
"Stella is on our side Ray," Fraser reminded him, not that he really needed reminding, but Fraser knew exactly how Ray was around his ex-wife. Her presence made him uncomfortable for many reasons and in the courtroom there was already enough pressure on the arresting officer. Ray had to stay cool under cross examination by Lorenzo's defence attorney and he didn't need the added personal stress.
"Yeah I know Fraser," Ray agreed, "but I'm sure she gets a kick outta questionin' me under oath, like, er, like she's just waitin' for me to screw up."
Fraser put his hand on his buddy's shoulder and stopped him in his tracks, spinning Ray around to face him. "Ray, Stella is as keen as we are to see Mr Lorenzo behind bars," Fraser said seriously, "the purpose of this meeting today is for you to run through everything with Stella to ensure that a guilty verdict is achieved. A lot of people died because of the actions of Juan Lorenzo and Stella has to present a watertight case. Your deposition is key to that. This is no different to the Bennett trial last week other than it being Stella's case and not Assistant States Attorney Statham's."
Ray shrugged. "I know, I know it's stupid," he sighed, "it's stupid that my ex-wife can still...she can still..." Ray couldn't quite put it into words, but Fraser understood and he nodded silently.
"Come along Ray," said Fraser, releasing his friend from his grasp and continuing along the street towards Stella's office building. He spotted the horse drawn taxi that could often be seen around Chicago giving rides to tourists and he waved to the driver. "Good day to you Herman!"
Herman waved back. "Hello Constable," he said and returned to fastening the reigns of one of his horses, who was doing his best to make it difficult for the man. The other horse was already attached to the carriage and a young couple were sitting in the carriage with their arms around each other, smiling as they looked forward to a ride around the city.
Fraser and Ray began climbing the steps of the States Attorney's Office. "Let's get this over with Fraser," said Ray, watching as Diefenbaker bounded up the steps ahead of them. "So d'ya think you'll, er, have to..." but he was interrupted by a man bursting out of the door and running down the steps towards his waiting car, closely followed by Stella Kowalski, who was yelling at the top of her voice at the man. Ray and Fraser were shocked at the scene, but they were even more shocked when Stella got close enough for them to be able to see her face. There was blood pouring from a cut just below her right eye with other small abrasions all over her face and her left eye socket was rapidly turning an ugly shade of yellowy purple. She hadn't seen Ray and was stunned when he reached out and grabbed her arm. "Stella, what happened?" asked Ray, appalled at her appearance.
"Leave it Ray," she instructed, shaking herself free from his grasp and abruptly turning away from him.
"Stella," began Fraser, passing her his handkerchief for the blood and glancing over his shoulder towards the sound of screeching tyres as the car pulled away, "did that man..." but Fraser didn't get a chance to finish his sentence as Ray immediately drew his gun and aimed it at the car. "Ray, no!" shouted Fraser, but it was too late and Ray fired off two shots. Of course he wasn't wearing his glasses so both bullets missed his intended target of the tyres and instead skidded harmlessly across the tarmac.
Unfortunately the two horses, already spooked by the noise of the car racing away, were completely startled by the sound of gunfire and just as Fraser had predicted, both animals reared up onto their hind legs. Herman hadn't finished buckling the second horse's harness and she quickly broke free from the carriage, although Herman still had a hold of the reigns and was able to bring her under control. The other horse however bolted off, pulling the carriage behind it with the young couple clinging onto each other for dear life. Fraser raced off after it with Dief at his heels. Ray took one more look at Stella who's mouth was open in bewilderment. "Stay here!" he yelled and he ran down the steps after Fraser.
Vehicles swerved to avoid the runaway horse and Fraser was amazed that there were no serious collisions, but now with cars all over the road, the animal was blocked in and could see no means of escape. She reared up again almost tipping the carriage over and the passengers both screamed. Fraser could see the fear in the poor animal's eyes as he finally caught up with her, not quite able to believe that the carriage had stayed upright. "Stay back!" he instructed, as much to Dief as to the passers by who had gathered to watch the chaos. Then, trying not to make any sudden movements, he quickly unbuttoned his navy blue overcoat and removed it as he approached the startled animal, making soothing noises as he got closer. With his coat over one arm, he held out his other hand with the palm face upwards, all the while talking in a low, gentle voice. The horse had visibly calmed now, but was still clearly very agitated. Fraser stepped closer now, taking his overcoat from his arm and carefully throwing it over the horses head, covering her eyes and almost immediately calming the animal. "Good girl," soothed Fraser as he grabbed hold of the horse's reigns, taking them in a firm grasp. He patted the horse gently. "It's alright now," he whispered as the crowd began to clap and cheer.
"You OK buddy?" called out a concerned Ray who had caught up to the scene now with Herman leading the other horse. Ray ran to the young couple and helped them out of the carriage. They were both shaking with fear.
"We're fine thank you Ray," smiled Fraser as he fished in the pocket of his red tunic and produced a carrot. He slipped his overcoat from the horse's head and the animal keenly began to eat the carrot from Fraser's hand.
"Er, Fraser," began a slightly puzzled Ray, satisfied now that the young couple were OK apart from being very shaken. He crossed to stand next to his partner. "Where'd ya get that carrot from?"
"From my pocket Ray," replied Fraser, matter of factly.
"Oh," nodded Ray, not quite sure if he was the only person in the world who thought that was kind of odd.
"Is everyone alright?" enquired Fraser, looking back at Herman who was refunding the couple the money they'd paid for their ride.
"Yeah, I think so," nodded Ray. "Um, sorry," he added, sheepishly, "I guess that was kinda my fault, huh?"
"It's alright Ray," Fraser said reassuringly, "there doesn't appear to be any serious harm done." He glanced over to a yellow taxi cab that had driven straight into a set of traffic lights whilst trying to avoid the runaway horse. "Although you may wish to go and talk to that cab driver," he added, looking around, "and that gentlemen there who appears to have some minor damage to his front fender...and also that young woman who's rear door has sustained some slightly more serious damage and..."
"OK Fraser!" Ray's face fell. Welsh was gonna have something to say about this and it wasn't going to be pretty. He patted the horse. It's a good job I love animals, he thought to himself, somewhat sarcastically.
"How is Stella?" asked Fraser.
Ray drew a sharp breath. "Stella!" In all the confusion he'd forgotten that he'd left his ex-wife sitting battered and bruised on the steps. He ran to the kerb and looked back towards Stella's office building, but she wasn't there any more. "She was right there Fraser, she's gone!" He ran few paces along the pavement in the opposite direction, just to see if he could spot her, but she was nowhere to be seen.
Fraser handed the reigns of the horse back to a very grateful Herman and crossed to join his partner. Ray looked at him and shook his head. "Don't worry Ray," Fraser half smiled, "we'll find her."
"Did ya get the licence plate?" Ray asked.
"Yes Ray," confirmed the Mountie, passing his thumbnail over his eyebrow, "so I suggest we return to the station so that Francesca can at least tell us who's vehicle that was."
"Yeah, er, yeah," agreed Ray, who was becoming more and more agitated now. "Then we'll go and pick up the creep who beat up my wife...er, ex-wife."
Fraser raised an eyebrow at Ray's little slip-up just then. He nodded at his partner. "Right you are."
xXx
Ray pushed the rice around on his plate with his fork. Fraser looked at him with concern. "Ray, you need to eat," he said, but Ray just scowled at him. "I'm sure she's fine," continued Fraser, reassuringly, "Stella is perfectly capable of looking after herself."
"Fraser we've been lookin' for her all afternoon," replied Ray in a worried tone, "you saw her face."
Fraser nodded, he was as concerned about her injuries as Ray. "Ray, I don't believe that Stella wants us to find her," he pointed out, "she was none too happy when she saw us earlier. I imagine she sought first aid assistance and went home."
"We went to her apartment Fraser, she wasn't there. She's not at her office and she's not answerin' her cell..." Ray threw his fork down onto his plate. "Sorry buddy, thanks for cookin' this, er, this..."
"Risotto," Fraser prompted.
"Yeah, risotto, right," nodded Ray. "It's good, but I'm just not hungry."
"You haven't been hungry for four days," Fraser pointed out with a frown. "What with your concerns over the Lorenzo trial and now this..."
"Jeez Fraser, the trial!" exclaimed Ray. His worries over Stella had taken over and he'd completely forgotten about the trial. "She'd better show up before tomorrow or, er, the whole case could be in jeopardy. Lorenzo's got that creep McAstin defendin' him. He only needs one tiny thing like this and he'll get the whole case thrown out."
"Ray I'm sure it won't come to that," suggested Fraser, "Stella is nothing if not professional. She'll be here, don't worry."
Just then, Diefenbaker leapt up from his spot at Ray's feet, where he usually lay during mealtimes as he was guaranteed a secret treat and ran barking towards the door. Ray looked at Fraser, puzzled, but then he heard the knock at the door and got up from his seat to go and answer it. He was surprised but pleased to see Stella standing there. He just stood there for a minute, staring at her. "Ray," began Stella, "um, I'm, um..." she sighed.
"Stell? What is it?" asked Ray, still holding his front door open. "What happened to you?"
"Ray I'm in trouble, big trouble," Stella whispered. "I need your help." She couldn't quite bring herself to look Ray in the eye as she spoke. She wasn't used to asking for help. She waited a moment for Ray to reply, but he was just staring at her. "So? Are we going to talk about this here, or can I come in?"
"Oh, yeah," Ray shook his head, trying to focus, "er, come in. You OK?" He reached out a hand towards her face, but stopped just short of touching her and quickly dropped his hand to his side.
"It's not as bad as it looks," Stella replied quietly as she stepped into Ray's apartment. Then she noticed Fraser's red tunic draped over the arm of the sofa and her face fell. "Oh, the Mountie's here," she said, bowing her head.
"Yeah, yeah he is," replied Ray, glancing over his shoulder at Fraser who was now on his feet. "Stella we've been out lookin' for ya, where'd ya go? We've been worried about ya." Fraser walked over to join them now. He'd overheard the whole conversation of course.
"I went to a coffee house," Stella explained. "The barista gave me some ice and a band aid and a free coffee. I guess he felt sorry for me. I made that Americano last three hours." She glanced uncomfortably at Fraser.
"Um, I'll leave you two alone to talk," said Fraser, squinting at Stella's face, "but first I'd like to tend to your injuries, if you'll allow me to. I'm particularly concerned about that laceration below your eye."
Ray looked at Stella. If Fraser was concerned then he was concerned. "Please Stella, let Fraser take care of ya, then ya can tell me what the hell's goin' on." Stella drew a breath and let it out slowly, nodding in agreement as she did so. Then she began to tremble and her breathing became more shallow and rapid. "Stella?" said Ray, suddenly concerned and grabbing her by the arm for support. "Fraser, what's wrong with her?" Ray started to panic.
"D...d...dizzy," Stella breathed, by way of explanation.
Fraser took a firm hold of Stella's other arm and he and Ray led her to the sofa. "It's alright, I believe you're experiencing a delayed reaction," Fraser tried to reassure them as they gently laid Stella down and Fraser swung her legs up onto the sofa, pulling off her shoes. "It's just shock, you'll be fine. Ray, please fetch a blanket."
Ray's eyes were still wide. He was struggling to take in seeing Stella like this. Weak and vulnerable. "Yeah sure," he mumbled, heading off towards his bedroom as Fraser lifted Stella's legs, raising her feet on a pile of cushions.
"I'm s...s...sorry," Stella stammered, through erratic breaths. "I sh...sh...shouldn't have run off earlier."
Fraser checked her pulse, it was racing. "You don't have to apologise," he assured her, "take some deep breaths, you're going to be fine."
Ray quickly returned with a blanket and covered Stella with it. She closed her eyes and tried to regain her composure. "You OK?" asked Ray.
"Mmmm," replied Stella as her breathing slowly began to return to normal, much to everyone's relief. "I'm fine Ray, thank you." She flashed a tiny smile at Ray and it sent a surge of feelings coursing through him. Feelings that he thought he'd forgotten about. Feelings that he never imagined he could have again, especially not about Stella. Maybe Stella saw something in his eyes, Ray couldn't be sure, but her smile quickly faded and she turned her head slightly to look at Fraser. "You mentioned something about fixing up my face?" she prompted.
"Yes, yes of course," agreed Fraser, getting to his feet. "Ray if you'd be kind enough to furnish me with your car keys, I'll retrieve the first aid kit from the trunk. The one in your bathroom is, well, it's inadequate."
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" muttered Stella, rolling her eyes. Fraser was shocked at the tone of her voice and he felt guilty for having given Stella the opportunity to put Ray down like that. Ray bit hard on his lower lip to prevent himself from giving her the satisfaction of a response. He couldn't believe how her manner could have changed like that in just a few seconds. Perhaps he'd been wrong about her just now? At least she was feeling better, more like her old self, he thought.
"Here," Ray tossed his car key to his partner. Fraser nodded once in acknowledgement and headed down to fetch the first aid kit.
"So, ya gonna tell me, er, how ya got into this mess?" Ray asked as soon as the door clicked shut behind Fraser.
"For God's sake Ray, give me a minute," snapped Stella, "I nearly passed out just now." Ray nodded, again forcing himself to remain silent as he struggled now to retain any empathy or compassion for her situation. They stayed silent for the next few minutes until Fraser returned.
As he walked back into Ray's apartment, Fraser immediately sensed the atmosphere between the two. He thought the best thing to do was to tend to Stella's injuries as quickly as possible so that he could leave them to talk privately. He knelt down beside the sofa and began unpacking the first aid equipment in silence, glancing up at Ray for a clue as to what was going on, but his partner was giving nothing away, mainly because Ray himself didn't really have a clue what was going on. Fraser opened a packet of sterile gloves and put them on, then he removed the small dressing from the deep cut on Stella's face. Stella winced slightly. "Sorry," said Fraser. He carefully began cleaning the wound, but his brow furrowed with concern. "Ray, could you bring that lamp over here please," he asked, nodding towards the floor lamp in the corner of Ray's apartment. Ray caught Fraser's look and quickly complied with his request. "Stella, am I right in thinking that these cuts were caused by a broken drinking glass?" Fraser asked as he adjusted the angle of the light, causing Stella to squint.
"Yes, why? What is it?" replied Stella, a little nervously.
"Ray, do you have your glasses?" enquired Fraser.
"Er, yeah, here," Ray produced his glasses from his pocket and passed them to Fraser.
Fraser held the glasses a few inches from Stella's face and used one of the lenses to magnify his view of the injury. "Ah," he said.
"Fraser don't 'ah'," sneered Ray. Now he was really worried.
"Stella," began Fraser, placing Ray's glasses on the table and moving the light away. Stella blinked deeply. "I'm afraid there is a fragment of glass embedded in the wound. I suggest we get you to the hospital so that it can be removed."
"No," snapped Stella. "No hospitals."
"Stella, I don't know what's goin' on," began Ray, his nostrils flaring as he tried to control his agitation, "but ya gotta take care of yourself. This guy smashed a glass in ya face..."
"The glass was an accident," Stella interrupted him, "I'm not going to the hospital, there'll be too many questions. Fraser can you remove it?"
Fraser thought for a moment and glanced at Ray. "I believe so," he replied, "but I would seriously recommend that you allow us to take you to the hospital. I can offer you very little in terms of pain relief and I'm afraid you will experience some discomfort."
"Look, if you knew what had happened, you'd understand," replied Stella, swallowing hard. "Please Fraser," she continued, her voice much softer now, "please just do it."
Fraser looked across at Ray again and coated his lower lip with his tongue. Ray tried to smile at Stella. She was obviously in serious trouble and he wanted to help her if he could. "Hey Stell," he said softly, "ya can squeeze my hand if ya want to, y'know, if it really hurts bad."
Stella glared up at him. "I'm not a baby Ray," she snapped.
Ray immediately got to his feet, taking shallow breaths through clenched teeth. "Oh yeah, I, er, I forgot," he snapped back, sarcastically, "The Stella doesn't feel pain." With that he stormed off into his bedroom, slamming the door behind him, but not after Dief had bounded into the room with him.
Stella looked at Fraser who had watched Ray go. "Why does he always do that to himself?" she asked, genuinely puzzled.
Fraser regarded her for a moment while he contemplated his reply. He could see in her eyes that she really didn't understand why Ray had reacted like that. Stella didn't appear to realise that the way she spoke to Ray hurt him so much. She wasn't being cruel when she said things like that, it seemed to Fraser now that it was just her way...perhaps it was how she dealt with her own feelings? Perhaps it was difficult for her having to see her ex-husband all the time at work after the bitterness of their break up? It was certainly difficult for Ray, Fraser thought. He suddenly felt a level of compassion towards her that he'd never felt before. He also felt a flash of hope for Ray as perhaps if he and Stella could actually come to an understanding about this, they could both start to move on with their lives and Fraser knew only too well how much Ray needed to move on from Stella. "He's worried about you," Fraser tried to explain as he redirected the light onto her face again. "You came here to ask for his help. Now take a deep breath, exhale slowly and try to hold still."
"Hmmm," agreed Stella as Fraser moved towards her with Ray's glasses in one hand and a pair of tweezers in the other hand. She could see the tip of Fraser's tongue protruding slightly from his lips as he concentrated on the delicate task in hand and for a fleeting moment she thought he looked...but, no...God no, Fraser? She knew that other women...well, she'd never understood what they all saw in the meddling, irritating Canadian and she wasn't about to change her mind now. Her thoughts were broken suddenly and her whole body stiffened as Fraser removed the tiny fragment of glass. Suddenly wished she hadn't sent Ray away as tears stung her eyes.
"There, all done," said Fraser, pressing down on some gauze to stem the fresh blood. He flashed her a small smile, he knew that had to have been very painful for Stella and he admired her bravery.
"Thank you," she said, quietly, trying not to let him see her wiping away tears. They weren't just because her face hurt, they were for Ray, for her failed marriage, for everything that had happened to her in the past few months that she needed to deal with. She'd come here to talk to Ray because he was the one person she thought she could trust with this and now he was sulking in his room like a kid again.
"This probably needs stitches Stella, but I'll try to make do without. Then I'll leave you and Ray alone," said Fraser. He could see that Stella was struggling to retain her composure. Stella gave a single, silent nod in acknowledgement.
In Ray's room, Ray was sitting on his bed, his knees tucked up tightly under his chin with his arms wrapped around his legs. He tilted his head slightly and looked at Diefenbaker who was staring at him. "What ya lookin' at?" he said quietly. Dief responded with a yap. Ray smiled. "I bet Fraser could tell me what ya just said," he whispered. He hoped that it was something supportive and not something along the lines of 'Pull yourself together Kowalski'. "Thing is Dief, I should be over this now, right? After all this time, she, er, she still has this, um, I dunno, what is it? It's like whatever she says and whatever she does..." Ray trailed off and sighed, he didn't even know what he was trying to say himself. He couldn't explain it. Stella had come to ask for his help and yet, even though she was in trouble, she still had time to make him feel stupid and useless. "What am I gonna do Dief?" Ray sighed and returned to staring at the end of his bed.
He heard the knock at his door, but said nothing. He knew it would be Fraser. "Ray?" Fraser's voice was low. "Ray, I, um, I've finished now so I guess I'll be going." Ray leapt off the bed and ran to open his bedroom door. he stood and watched as his partner peeled off his gloves, still unable to say anything. Fraser frowned with concern. He glanced over his shoulder and then back to Ray and lowered his voice even more. "You alright?" Ray just shrugged. "Um, Stella needs you," Fraser added.
"I know," replied Ray under his breath.
A few minutes later Fraser handed Stella a steaming hot cup of tea. "It's chamomile and ginger," he said. Stella turned her nose up in disgust. "May I suggest that you at least try it, it should take away some of your discomfort." Stella shrugged and sipped at the tea. Fraser smiled. "I imagine I'll see you in court tomorrow?" he said, as he picked up his red tunic.
"Oh, the Lorenzo trial," sighed Stella, "I could really do without that."
"Me too," agreed Ray and Stella sneered at him.
"Perhaps if you speak to the judge, you may be able to request a postponement, under the circumstances," suggested Fraser.
"No," Stella shook her head, "this is a watertight case. We have plenty of evidence and several reliable witnesses...plus Ray of course," she laughed at her own joke at Ray's expense. "It'll all be over in a few hours."
"Understood," replied Fraser, buttoning up his tunic.
"See ya buddy," grinned Ray, who was also drinking tea. He was getting used to the taste and he had to admit that Fraser was right about some of the properties of the various blends. Fraser nodded, put on his hat and headed towards the door with Dief at his heels.
"Fraser wait," Stella called out suddenly. Fraser stopped and turned back towards the sofa. "I've been thinking," she continued, "um, I've made a big mistake, a career-ending, life changing mistake and...and I'll understand if you don't want to help me when you hear what I've done, but...I think... I think I'm going to need all the friends I can get. Please...please stay."
Fraser glanced at Ray and Ray closed his eyes briefly and nodded. Fraser didn't want to get involved if Ray didn't want him to, but Ray had already realised from the tone in her voice that Stella really was in trouble and he knew that the best way that he could help her was with Fraser. This was what he and Fraser did best, they were a duet. This had nothing to do with his marriage, this was about helping a friend and despite everything that had happened between them, Ray really couldn't bear the thought of losing Stella as a friend. "Stell, what did ya do? Who was that creep?" Ray asked, "We, er, we ran his licence plate and it was a stolen car? What have ya gotten yourself mixed up in?"
Fraser placed his hat on the table and sat himself down on the sofa the other side Stella. Stella felt suddenly very safe sat between Ray and Fraser. A faint glimmer of hope slipped into her mind, maybe she could sort this out after all? She took a deep breath and looked into her teacup. "I've been seeing someone," she began. Ray resisted the urge to say anything.
"The man who did this to you?" enquired Fraser gently.
Stella nodded. "Today was the first time I've ever seen him get angry," she said, "he's actually a very sweet man." Again Ray bit his tongue and Fraser glared at him. "His name is Ronald Tyler and I met him at work," Stella continued, "that is to say, I met him, um..." her voice trailed off.
"What, he was a client?" asked Ray, "You've been datin' a client, is that it?" Ray knew how unprofessional that situation would be.
"No Ray," replied Stella, her voice much quieter now, "it's, um, it's more complicated than that." She stopped to take another breath. "Actually I was representing his wife, um, his ex-wife. She was divorcing him and she wanted half of their jewellery store business. He was contesting her claim."
"Jeez Stella!" Ray wasn't able to restrain himself now. "Ya were datin' a guy ya were prosecutin'? Tell me the case was over before ya, y'know..."
Stella hung her head in shame. "I wish I could tell you that Ray," she whispered, "but it would be a lie."
"Did you win the case, or did he?" Fraser enquired.
Ray sneered at him. "What the hell difference does that make Fraser?" he asked.
"Because Ray," Stella jumped in, "if I had lost the case and it later came to light that Ron and I were seeing each other, that would look very bad for me. Even worse than it already does."
"Oh yeah, I guess," nodded Ray.
"Well as it happens I won and he lost," Stella explained.
"I see," Fraser rubbed at his left eyebrow with his thumb, "well in that case Stella, although your superiors may frown upon your relationship with Mr Tyler from a moral standpoint, I'm not sure that they could fire you? You were however seriously assaulted by this man today, I assume you intend to press charges? May I enquire as to the circumstances leading to him attacking you?"
Stella reached into the pocket of her trousers and pulled out a small jewellery box. For one horrifying moment Ray thought it contained a ring, but Stella snapped open the lid to reveal a pair of diamond earrings. "He gave me these last week," she said. "At first I was delighted with them, I thought they were beautiful."
"I still don't get it?" said Ray.
"They're fake Ray," said Stella, handing the box to Fraser. "Am I right Fraser?"
Fraser took one of the earrings from the box and held it up to the light between his thumb and forefinger, twisting it from left to right. "Yes," agreed Fraser, "they're rather excellent fakes though." He handed the earring back to Stella. "I'm sorry, I'm still not sure I understand."
"I don't think he knows," she replied, "I confronted Ron about these today as soon as I realised and he went crazy. He said these jewels had been in his family for three generations and I was insulting his family business. That's when he..." she gingerly brought one hand up to her face. "It's just a theory Ray, but I think his ex-wife knew all about this and I've somehow been used as a pawn in her game. Some of the things she said to me just didn't add up."
"Why didn't you investigate those anomalies at the time?" Fraser asked.
"I don't know?" shrugged Stella, "maybe I got too wrapped up in her story. Sylvia Tyler threw me a very convincing sob story and I fell for it. I thought she deserved half the business after twelve years of marriage. It was a very strange situation for me to be in."
"Wait a minute," said Ray, puzzled. "You won and this Tyler guy lost half his business and yet he still wanted to, er, date ya? Why didn't he go crazy then? He still wanted to date the lawyer who, um, destroyed his family business?"
"Ray, by that stage we were already...well, we were already very close," Stella tried to explain, "he was aware that he would most likely lose. I had plenty of strong evidence that his jewellery store would have closed down six years ago if his wife hadn't kept the business running. She is a very smart business woman. Too smart, I realise that now. I don't know how these fake diamonds fit into all of this, but I think she's been involved in some sort of fraud for years. Trouble is I can't quite work out what she's been doing?"
"Why would she be so keen to keep her half of a business she's been defrauding?" Fraser was confused. Stella shrugged.
"Woah, wait, go back a minute," Ray said suddenly. "You two were close? How close? Were ya sleeping with him?"
"Ray..." began Fraser, keen to spare Stella any unnecessary embarrassment, but Stella interrupted him.
"It's alright Fraser," she snapped, she didn't like the fact the he felt the need to defend her honour, not in the Twentieth Century, "yes Ray, Ron and I had a sexual relationship. Do you have a problem with that?" Ray's nostrils were flaring with anger now. He was determined not to react. "I wanted to wait until after the trial was over, but Ron can be..." Stella paused, trying to think of the best way to complete that sentence. She could feel the colour in her cheeks deepen. "He can be very persuasive," she said finally.
"What?" Ray frowned, "how persuasive? What d'ya mean? Ya mean ya said no and he did it anyway? Did he rape ya?"
"Ray!" exclaimed Stella, "what the hell are you talking about? He did not rape me? You're being ridiculous, that's not what I meant at all! Don't you dare twist my words Ray. The nature of my relationship with Ron is not the issue here. I agree it complicates things, but the real issue is whether I've been defending someone while they carried out criminal activity. I could get fired Ray. Weird stuff was going on and I ignored it because of my personal feelings."
"May I suggest that we all calm down," Fraser tried to cool the situation. "Would anybody like more tea?"
"No Fraser, I would not like more tea," insisted Ray, jumping up and gesticulating wildly. "I want to get to the bottom of this. Some violent bastard beat ya today Stella and don't, er, don't tell me how sweet he is again, not when ya just told me he forced ya into havin' sex with him!" Ray turned away and ran his fingers through his spiky hair, standing with his other hand on his hip and breathing heavily.
"For God's sake Ray, you're twisting this!" Stella tried to get to her feet too, but suddenly felt dizzy again.
Immediately, Fraser was by her side, steadying her by the elbow. "Alright?" he enquired with concern, lowering her gently back down onto the sofa. Stella nodded. "Ray, please come and sit with Stella. I'll make that tea."
Ray spun round and was about to say something he'd most likely regret later when he saw Fraser checking Stella's pulse and he realised how pale She had become again. "You OK Stell?"
"I'm fine," she replied, trying to muster a smile. They sat in silence while Fraser made the tea. Ray wasn't sure whether he should apologise or not. He didn't think he'd done anything to apologise for really, but he knew that sometimes with Stella the best thing was to let her think you were sorry, even if you weren't.
Fraser returned with three cups of tea. "Here," he handed one cup to Stella, "I've made it slightly stronger for you this time," he explained, "it will make you feel better."
"Thank you," she replied in a shaky voice. "I do appreciate what you've done for me today, both of you," she continued. "I realise that you Mounties have a particular moral code..."
"You may have been misled," Fraser interrupted her and Ray grinned. Fraser took a deep breath. "Stella, it is not for me or anyone else to judge you, or your choices or actions regarding your personal life," he said, "I promise I will do everything I can to help you and ensure that anyone partaking in criminal activity is brought to justice."
"Yeah, me too," added Ray with a smile. Stella smiled too and nodded.
"I would recommend that you do not return to your apartment tonight though," Fraser continued, "I don't think you should be alone. Your health is giving me some concern and we don't know whether Mr Tyler intends to contact you again. You are most welcome to stay at the Consulate, Constable Turnbull..."
"It's OK buddy, she can stay here," Ray said quickly, before Fraser had a chance to finish what he was saying. "We've still gotta talk about the, er, the Lorenzo trial so, um we could do that before we turn in? Don't worry Stell, I'll take the sofa."
Stella wasn't sure what to say. The last place on earth she wanted to spend the night was at the Canadian Consulate. Fraser was bearable in small doses and he had been kind to her today, but she always had to resist the urge to slap Constable Turnbull every time she saw him and Inspector Thatcher and her had never seen eye to eye on anything. On the other hand, the prospect of staying here with Ray was admittedly a little weird, but strangely comforting at the same time. "Thank you Ray, we do need to run through a few things before we go to court tomorrow. I'll stay here if that's OK with you."
Ray's heart skipped a beat at her words. He didn't really know why. Well, he did of course, but it didn't make any sense to him, not after all this time. In recent months it had been so hard to be in the same room as Stella, there always seemed to be this atmosphere between them and they struggled to be civil to each other most of the time. He was determined that tonight would be good for both of them. They'd talk about Lorenzo and then they'd get a good night's sleep and tomorrow, once the trial was over, he and Fraser could pick up the bastard that hurt Stella and start to check out Sylvia Tyler.
"Well I should be going," smiled Fraser, placing his empty teacup on the table. He wasn't at all comfortable leaving the two of them alone all night, but he knew he had to trust his friend. Maybe it would do both of them some good? Perhaps they would finally get an opportunity to talk about things that they should have talked about a long time ago? Perhaps if Ray and Stella could just get through the next few hours without being at each other's throats then that would be a start. "Stella, take it easy, get plenty of rest and you'll be fine in the morning." Fraser put on his tunic as he spoke and Stella nodded.
"Thanks buddy," said Ray, following him to the door.
"Are you going to be alright?" Fraser asked in a low voice so that Stella wouldn't hear.
"Yeah, course," grinned Ray. "We're good, greatness."
Fraser nodded. "Call me if you need anything," he added, placing his hat squarely on his head. Ray nodded and closed the door behind his friend. He turned and looked at Stella sitting on his sofa and took a deep breath, trying to clear his head which had started to spin.
Fraser walked down the hall of Ray's building with Dief at his heels, but then he suddenly stopped, spun around and headed back towards Ray's apartment. Dief barked and Fraser stopped dead in his tracks. "Tell me you're not as concerned as I am?" he said to his wolf. Dief yapped a reply. "Ray's all over the place, emotionally I mean, do you honestly think this is a good idea?" Dief barked and whined. "Well, thank you for pointing that out," snapped Fraser, sarcastically. "I agree I may not be the best person to ask when it comes to matters of the heart..." Dief barked again. "That's enough Dief!" hissed Fraser. Dief just looked at him. "Alright," Fraser turned round again and headed for the stairs again, shaking his head, "clearly you have all the answers, but you can deal with any fallout in the morning." He and Diefenbaker walked briskly out into the street and headed back to the Consulate.
